More than 400,000 litres of crude oil has spilled in the unique ecosystem of Santa Barbara in California, USA, following a raptured oil pipeline. As animals are starting to wash up dead on the shores, environmentalists say the US need tougher regulations to avoid more devastating oil spills.

During the worst drought in modern history, people in California are struggling to meet the mandatory statewide water reduction limits. "It's all well and good that the wealthy are having their lawns painted green, but that's not a solution," one LA Palms resident says.

The Gates Foundation is being urged to dump its sizeable fossil fuel assets. Bill Gates cares deeply about world health and development, both of which are affected by climate, but will his charity divest?

The Guardian has revealed that one of the world’s biggest charities, the Bill and Melinda Gate’s Foundation, has invested at least $1.4 billion in some of the world’s biggest and dirtiest fossil fuel companies. Now people are calling on the foundation to divest from fossil fuels.

On World Environment Day, UN rights expert urges nations to fulfil human rights obligations related to environmental protection. He also urges nations to protect civil society activists working on environmental issues, to ensure the enjoyment of human rights for all.

Greenpeace has been protesting against oil drilling in Arctic waters this week. This time, Greenpeace is trying to stop Norway’s reckless plans to start the world's northernmost oil drilling site – close to the Bear Island nature reserve. “If Statoil caused a major accident here the oil could reach the nesting place of a million seabirds in less than a week,” said Greenpeace activist Sini Saarela.

The 28 Greenpeace activists and two freelance journalists who has spent three months in jail after a peaceful protest in the Arctic have been granted amnesty by the Russian parliament. Greenpeace have expressed relief but has vowed to continue with its campaign against oil drilling in the Arctic.